Vim, gVim: Remote execution of arbitrary code

Background

Vim is an efficient, highly configurable improved version of the classic ‘vi’ text editor. gVim is the GUI version of Vim.

Description

It was found that the :source! command was not restricted by the sandbox mode. If modeline was explicitly enabled, opening a specially crafted text file in vim could result in arbitrary command execution.

Impact

A remote attacker could entice a user to open a specially crafted file using Vim or gVim, possibly resulting in execution of arbitrary code with the privileges of the process or a Denial of Service condition.

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution

All Vim users should upgrade to the latest version:

 # emerge --sync
 # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=app-editors/vim-8.1.1486"

All gVim users should upgrade to the latest version:

 # emerge --sync
 # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=app-editors/gvim-8.1.1486"